Celebrating International Whores’ Day - Wednesday 2nd June
International Whores’ Day, also known as International Sex Workers’ Day, is about bringing an end to discrimination, violence and shaming of sex workers. It takes place on June 2nd, and here at Kisskill we will be hosting a special event celebrating International Whores’ Day exclusive to those affiliated with the sex industry. And not only because we love an excuse to gather the glitterati and catch up on gossip over a glass of bubbly, but because it’s really quite important.
While the rest of the world has shamed sex workers since the dawn of society as we know it, we firmly believe that being a ‘whore’ is not something to be ashamed of. As controversial as the words ‘slut’ and ‘whore’ are, it’s exactly because of their contentiousness, that we think it’s important to reclaim those words - and our slut identities. When someone uses those words or their synonyms against us, there’s such an emotional charge: those words are intended to hurt us. They are among some of the most nasty slurs used to describe women. As anyone who’s been described as a ‘slut’ can relate, right?
But let’s break down the meaning of these words... and consider why reclaiming them can be so damn powerful!
Using the word ‘whore’ against someone insults them on the premise that being like a sex worker is a negative thing (and often, the worst thing you could imagine). There is so. much. stigma. against sex workers and anyone associated with sharing their sexuality liberally or in exchange for money. And it manifests in discrimination, violence and so many other damaging ways.
I personally believe it’s because, broadly speaking, men and those upholding the patriarchy are threatened by empowered women - and sex workers are among those who aren’t frightened of harnessing their sexual power. A professional dominatrix once pointed out to me that the sex industry is one of the very few industries in which women earn consistently more money than men, and yet it’s one that society (read: men) feels they must ‘save’ women from because it’s ‘disempowering’. How’s that for a paradox?
While there are International Whores’ Day exists in part to address issues within the industry that can make the work disempowering or exploitative, all evidence points to sex work being safer when it’s not criminalised. And no matter what politicians say, it’s criminalised because of the old paradigm that says ‘sex work is bad’. This idea comes from puritanical dogma, and quite frankly, we need to stamp it out with our stiletto heels once and for all!
So what can we do about this whore-phobia?
There are many ways to protest prejudiced attitudes, but an easy way to start is by owning your inner slut. Instead of hiding that part of yourself, let her play! Be your full flirtatious, fun-loving self. Flaunt your body and express yourself through cute outfits - There is absolutely nothing wrong with being promiscuous, flirtatious, or wearing suggestive clothing. Plus, who says fighting the patriarchy can’t be enjoyable?!
And the best way is to show up in solidarity for our sex worker sisters. As women, we all need to support one another, and those in the sex industry have been pushed to the fringes of society more so than most. Sisterhood means helping to uplift and empower each other as women, and gathering in community is very healing. So let’s join our sisters in being loud and proud this International Whores’ Day together!
Celebrate International Whores’ Day in your favourite Kisskill look - from bralettes to underbust corsets, bodysuits to fishnet stockings, we have the essential pieces of every proud slut’s lingerie wardrobe, and accessories to match!
